How to Obtain a Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR) in the Philippines: A Comprehensive Legal Guide

1 | What is a CENOMAR?

A Certificate of No Marriage Record (popularly called CENOMAR, occasionally “Certificate of Singleness” or “Certificate of No Record of Marriage”) is an official certification issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) stating that, based on its National Marriage Index, a person has never contracted a valid marriage or that any prior marriage has already been annulled or voided.

It is frequently required for:

application for a marriage license or ecclesiastical wedding banns
fiancé(e) / spouse visa, immigration, and overseas employment
adoption, child‐custody and inheritance proceedings
bank loans, life-insurance claims, and corporate due-diligence
proof of civil status in academic, military or religious institutions

2 | Statutory and Regulatory Basis

Instrument	Key Provisions
Act No. 3753 (Civil Registry Law, 1930)	Ordered compulsory registration of births, marriages and deaths; the (then) National Statistics Office (NSO) became custodian.
Republic Act No. 10625 (Philippine Statistical Act of 2013)	Merged NSO into the PSA and confirmed its authority to issue civil-registry certifications including CENOMARs.
Family Code of the Philippines (E.O. 209, 1987)	Requires a “Certificate of No Marriage” when applying for a marriage license (Art. 12 paragraph 2).
Data Privacy Act (R.A. 10173)	Restricts release of personal civil-registry data to the registrant or to a duly-authorized representative, safeguarding CENOMAR records.
Hague Apostille Convention (entered into force for PH on 14 May 2019)	Replaced “red-ribbon” authentication; PSA certificates bound for countries that are Convention members now require only DFA Apostille, not embassy legalization.

3 | Who May Legitimately Request

Requester	Proof Required
Subject Person (the individual named in the certificate)	One (1) original, valid government-issued ID.
Immediate Family (parent, child, spouse, sibling)	Own ID and document proving relationship (e.g., birth/marriage certificate).
Court-appointed or Contractual Representative	Notarized or consularized Authorization Letter or Special Power of Attorney (SPA) + their own ID + photocopy of owner’s ID.
Government or Foreign Embassy	Official letter-request citing legal purpose, signed by head of agency or consular officer.

🔒 PSA will refuse walk-in or online requests made by persons outside these categories.

4 | Available Application Channels

Channel	Typical Users	Payment Options	Delivery
Walk-in at PSA-CRS Outlet	Applicants near a PSA office needing fastest release	Cash at cashier	Same day to 2 working days
PSAHelpline.ph (formerly NSOHelpline)	Web-savvy applicants nationwide	Credit/Debit card, GCash, Maya, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center	Courier (Metro Manila ≈ 2-3 wd; Provincial ≈ 4-7 wd)
PSA Serbilis Online (serbilis.psa.gov.ph)	Overseas Filipinos; bulk corporate orders	Visa/Mastercard, BancNet, i-Remit	PhilPost domestic / DHL international
SM Business Service Center	Mall-goers	Cash	Pick-up (5-7 wd)
By Mail (traditional)	Remote provinces without internet	Money order payable to PSA	Returned mail; may take 4–6 weeks
Philippine Embassy/Consulate	Filipinos abroad needing apostilled copy	Local fee + embassy courier	Varies per post

5 | Documentary Requirements

Completed Application Form CRS Form No. 4 (walk-in) or online data entry page.
Valid ID (original for walk-in; scanned/photocopy for representative): Passport, PhilSys Card, UMID, SSS/GSIS ID, PRC ID, Driver’s License, OWWA ID, Postal ID (2016 series), Voter’s ID, etc.

At least one (1) primary ID or two (2) secondary IDs.
Authorization Letter / SPA (if applicable).
Proof of Payment (online reference number, official receipt).

6 | Step-by-Step Procedures

A. Walk-In (PSA-CRS Serbilis Outlet)

Secure Appointment (when required) – Most outlets now require an online appointment slot.
Queue for Application Form & CSR Kiosk – Encode personal details; choose Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR).
Pay Fee – ₱210 per copy (₱155 certificate fee + ₱30 service fee + ₱25 documentary stamp).
Claim Stub – Indicates release date/time; same day for simple cases, next working day if cut-off reached.
Receive Certificate – Check spelling and annotation (“NO RECORD OF MARRIAGE”). Report errors immediately.

B. PSAHelpline.ph

Visit PSAHelpline.ph › Order Now › CENOMAR.
Fill out subject’s full name, sex, birthdate, birthplace, father & mother’s full maiden names.
Select Purpose (e.g. “Marriage License”) and Quantity.
Enter delivery address, email & mobile.
Choose payment channel; pay ₱465 per copy (inclusive of courier).
Track via “Check Status”. Courier delivers sealed envelope; recipient must present ID.

C. PSA Serbilis (good for international)

Create account at serbilis.psa.gov.ph; select CENOMAR.
Print order confirmation; pay through accredited remittance or online card gateway.
For shipments abroad, shipping cost auto-added (DHL rates apply).
Delivery schedule: Metro Manila 3–5 wd; other PH 7–9 wd; foreign 6–8 weeks by post / 5–7 days by DHL.

D. SM Business Center

Go to any SM mall Service Center; request CENOMAR form.
Pay ₱235 per copy (includes SM handling). Get claim stub with release date.
Pick up at the same branch; bring stub & ID.

E. By Mail

Write request letter or use downloadable Serbilis form.
Enclose Postal Money Order worth ₱230 per copy (plus self-addressed stamped envelope).
Mail to PSA CRS-O, East Avenue, Diliman, 1101 Quezon City.
Wait 4–6 weeks.

7 | Fees & Processing Times (2025 PSA Schedule)

Mode	Cost / Copy	Typical Processing
Walk-in	₱210	2 hours – 2 days
PSAHelpline	₱465	2–7 working days
Serbilis (PH delivery)	₱430	3–9 working days
Serbilis (abroad)	US $25 + shipment	1–8 weeks
SM Business Center	₱235	5–7 working days

Fees already include ₱25 Documentary Stamp Tax (DST). Prices are periodically adjusted; confirm before payment.

8 | Validity, Authenticity & Apostille

No law fixes an “expiration”, but end-users (embassies, LGUs) often require a certificate issued within the last six (6) months.
For use abroad in Apostille Convention countries, submit the PSA-issued security paper to the DFA-OSEA for apostillization (₱200 regular / ₱400 express).
For non-Apostille countries, secure DFA “Authentication Certificate” then legalize at the destination-country embassy/consulate.

9 | Correction of Errors or “Record Exists” Findings

Verify particulars – Wrong spelling or mismatched parental data might retrieve someone else’s marriage record.
File a Verification and Certification request at the PSA Legal Division; pay ₱140.
Sworn Petition for Correction under R.A. 9048/10172 (for clerical errors) at the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) where birth was registered.
Judicial Declaration of Nullity / Annulment if subject was actually married but claims void marriage status.
Re-request CENOMAR once PSA database updated (usually 3–6 months after approval).

10 | Penalties & Data-Privacy Notes

Offense	Liability
Falsifying or counterfeiting PSA security paper	Revised Penal Code (Art. 172, 174): imprisonment & fine.
Unauthorized access, use or sale of civil-registry info	Data Privacy Act administrative & criminal penalties.
Misrepresentation (claiming to be single when married)	Perjury (Art. 183) or civil/criminal liability in the underlying transaction (e.g., bigamy under Art. 349).

11 | Practical Tips

Book walk-in appointments early—slots open 30 days in advance and fill fast in NCR.
Type names exactly as they appear on the birth certificate (including “Ñ/ÑG” distinctions).
Provide middle names in full; PSA search is name-exact, not fuzzy.
Use a single email address per online order; one order number = one tracking reference.
Courier will deliver only to the applicant or authorized representative with ID; prepare authorization letter if someone else will receive.
Inspect the dry-seal, barcode, and unique Serial Control Number—erase marks void the document.

12 | Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer (2025)
Can I order for my fiancé(e) living abroad?	Yes, if you have a notarized SPA and a photocopy of their passport/ID.
Is a CENOMAR needed for a church wedding if we already have a civil marriage?	Usually no; instead, a marriage certificate will suffice. Check the diocese’s Banns requirements.
*What if the PSA returns “No Marriage Record AND* Birth Record Not Found”?**	Secure a Negative Certification for both birth and marriage; then consult the LCR for delayed registration.
How many copies should I get?	Always obtain at least two—one for submission and one spare; re-ordering later incur repeat fees.
Can I expedite a CENOMAR in one day for visa lodging?	Only possible via walk-in at selected PSA CRS branches (e.g., East Ave). Arrive pre-opening and choose express.

13 | Conclusion

Obtaining a CENOMAR is largely a matter of eligibility + correct paperwork + choosing the right channel. Walk-in remains the fastest for residents near a PSA branch, while PSAHelpline and Serbilis serve Filipinos nationwide and overseas without queueing hassles. Remember that a CENOMAR is evidence of singleness only on the date of issue; for legal transactions—especially marriage and migration—secure a fresh copy and have it authenticated as required. Finally, safeguard your civil-registry data: use official websites, pay only accredited partners, and refuse “fixer” services. Doing so keeps the process lawful, cost-effective, and secure.